Swansea City in review 2011: manager Brendan Rodgers takes Welsh football into the Premier League

Swansea City became the first Welsh side to play in the Premier League after
manager Brendan Rodgers guided them through the play-offs.

Breaking new ground: Brendan Rodgers, the Swansea City manager, ensured Wales were represented in the Premier League for the first timePhoto: GETTY IMAGES

By Graham Clutton

5:22PM GMT 30 Dec 2011

How will 2011 be remembered at Swansea City? Plenty of memories for Swansea, none better than earning promotion from the Championship via the play-offs.

A year that began with hope, rather than expectation, finished with the unfashionable Welsh club sitting comfortably in the second tier of English football’s top flight. The year began with Brendan Rodgers’ side booking an early spot in the play-off zone courtesy of a battling 1-0 victory over Barnsley. However, the loss to injury of Ferrie Bodde had given rise to claims that Wales’ second city club might struggle in terms of invention in the remaining months of the campaign.

Thankfully, Rodgers smelt the possibility of success and moved to sign Leon Britton, on a permanent deal from Sheffield United. It was a master-stoke as Britton would prove to be a significant lynch-pin. The diminutive midfielder complemented the style of play that would endear the club to so many neutrals within the game.

Fabio Borini arrived from Chelsea on loan and the concern over a lack of goals in the run-in gave way to 32 in their final 16 games. A 3-0 success against Norwich City, a 4-1 victory against Ipswich Town and the comprehensive 4-0 beating of Sheffield United were the highlights as the club made sure of its place in the play-off semi-finals, alongside Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest and Reading.

When Neil Taylor was sent off inside the opening minutes at the City Ground, there were genuine fears that the club would ultimately fall at the penultimate hurdle. However, having returned to the Liberty Stadium on level terms, the Swans would book their place in the final courtesy of goals from Britton, Stephen Dobbie and Darren Pratley.

If the semi-final had been an emotional roller-coaster, the final would surpass all expectations. Three goals to the good at half time, two in as many minutes from Scott Sinclair and a third from Dobbie, appeared to have sealed Reading’s fate. However, Noel Hunt and Matt Mills popped up with goals to reduce the deficit to one and Swansea were beginning to falter. Thankfully, a second penalty from Sinclair, 10 minutes from time, sealed victory and Swansea were on their way to the Premier League for the first time.

The past 18 weeks have been beyond description as the club and city continue to live the dream of playing alongside the best that English football has to offer. A memorable year.

Highlights

• Without doubt, the Wembley win against Reading and the celebration around the city thereafter, will live long in the memory of the Swansea supporters.

• The first ball kicked in anger at the Etihad Stadium was a special moment too, as was the first goal and victory, over West Bromwich Albion at the Liberty Stadium.

• A year of real highs for a club that 10 years previously had been on the brink of closure.

Lowlights

• Losing 4-0 on the opening night at Manchester City was an obvious disappointment and for some, the realisation that life in the Premier League would be an altogether different ball game.

• The real low point came in the summer when key players Darren Pratley and Dorus de Vries chose to swap the Liberty Stadium for pastures new. Still, the Swans have had the last laugh with De Vries spending his time in the reserves at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Pratley part of a Bolton side destined for the drop.

Hero: Brendan Rodgers Rodgers would be the hero of the Liberty Stadum in 2011 for the manner in which he delighted the fans both with the results and the manner in which Swansea played.

What does 2012 hold? Despite a decent start to life at the top table, Swansea have plenty of work to be getting on with in 2012. Avoiding relegation is the primary aim, of course, while a decent FA Cup run would certainly maintain the interest of the club’s growing support base.

If that can be achieved, Brendan Rodgers will have enough cash during the closed season to help consolidate the club’s position amongst the elite. Unfortunately, success could come at a price. The club’s growth has already brought to the attention of others, the young bucks in whom Rodgers has placed so much trust. The summer months will undoubtedly be a test for the club in terms of keeping hold of Joe Allen, Scott Sinclair and Jazz Richards and those with a few more miles on the clock, like Ashley Williams, Nathan Dyer and Dutch goalkeeper Michel Vorm.

Off the pitch, new training facilities are a must as is the club’s bid to achieve academy status for its current Centre of Excellence. After all, producing home grown talent will continue to be one of the main thrusts in terms of development for a club who can only dream of the ridiculous sums of money being splashed around elsewhere.